Why do a Yoga Holiday?
I’m travelling alone. Will I be the only one?
How much yoga and free-time is there?
What happens about meals? Does everyone eat together?
How do I get there?
Will everyone be better/more experienced than me?
Will I need a car?
What kind of people will be there?
What are the current prices?
Can I have a brochure? How do I make a booking?

Why do a Yoga Holiday?
Yoga Holidays are for anyone who needs to recharge their batteries, get some perspective on their life, to relax or simply to further their study and practice of yoga in a nurturing and fulfilling environment. Guests are encouraged to relax, enjoy, be themselves, make friends, ask questions, have fun and experience the great joy that yoga can bring. Many people experience the resolution of a problem or a new-found determination to change some aspect of their lives that has been bothering them. Others just find the holidays a complete break and come back year after year for their “therapy”. The holidays are not intended as a serious detox – the clue is in the word “holiday” but many guests choose to use the week or few days to maybe instil some good eating or drinking habits, to get more exercise or rest, to leave work and problems at home and to really devote time to themselves, to honour their body and their minds.

I’m travelling alone. Will I be the only one?
Many people come on the holidays on their own and quickly make friends and settle into the relaxed and friendly environment.  If you arrive at the same time as someone else, we will put you in touch with each other so you can share a taxi to the retreat centre, a chance to connect straight away.  It’s really not unusual to welcome single travellers and there are plenty of friendly people around but also plenty of space to have time to yourself.

How much yoga and free-time is there?
For all the holidays, there are morning and evening classes on most days except for arrivals and departures days.  It’s not too early a start – either 8.30am or 9.00am depending on the time of year in the morning for a 2-hour class, followed by brunch and then free time until the 90-minute evening session at around 6.00pm.

This allows for plenty of rest time, massage treatments, local walks or sunbathing.  We usually take one  afternoons and one morning off during the holiday to allow guests to explore further afield or take an extended relaxation day.

What happens about meals? Does everyone eat together?
Normally, we all eat together at brunch after each morning yoga session and at dinner in the evenings. If guests are rushing off to the beach, brunch can be taken in a packed lunch. If we are having an evening off, we often go out for dinner in a nearby restaurant or people may decide to go off on their own or self-cater.

How do I get there?

Flights can be taken from most European airports to Faro which is just 20 minutes away. If you’re coming from further afield you can also fly to Lisbon and either get the train or fly to Faro. From Seville and many other areas in Southern Spain you can arrive by Eva Bus. Quinta Mimosa and Monte na Luz are both situated 5km from Loule – full directions will be sent to you when you book or you can visit their websites for more information. Taxis from Faro airport cost around 25 euros and if you arrive at the same time as another guest it is often possible to share transport.

I’m a beginner. Will everyone be better/more experienced than me?
All the holidays are suitable for all levels, even complete beginners. Rachel takes care that everyone, no matter what level, gets the teaching they need to suit their experience. Beginners are welcome as well as more advanced students and teachers and Rachel makes sure that those more experienced are sufficiently challenged! Having different levels in the class is a great learning experience as we all learn from each other.

Will I need a car?
It’s a good idea to hire a car as there is so much to explore in the Algarve. However, taxi’s are reasonably priced and easy to organise and you can also hire bicycles. Trains and buses have regular routes throughout Portugal and there is a little station in Almancil, about a mile from the retreat venue. There is a small supermarket and 2 great restaurants within walking distance but the bigger shops are a 5 minute drive away. Loule market is 5 minutes drive north and the beach is 10 minutes south by car but again, taxis will take you there for around 10 euros each way.

What kind of people come on a yoga holiday?
It’s always a pleasure to welcome guests on the yoga holidays as they are from all walks of life. We have guests from ages 20 to 80. Predominantly women but more often now men are joining too. Some have done lots of yoga, some none at all or very little. Some have very stressful jobs in banking, media, fashion or in the caring professions, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists. Some are mothers or fathers taking some time out from family commitments, others are retired but keeping active. Some are writers, artists or graduates. All have one thing in common, they want to come away for a while to relax in a warm and peaceful environment, develop their yoga practice and enjoy good company.

What are the current prices and how do I pay?
Please contact Rachel for pricing details and availability. It is possible to pay via bank transfer, PayPal or cash on arrival. Deposits are taken in sterling or euros and the balance is payable in euros.

Can I have a brochure? How do I make a booking?
All the information is on the holidays page but contact Rachel for further details. We try to save paper by keeping all the relevant infor online and Rachel is on hand to answer any other questions you may have. To make a booking please contact Rachel direct via her email or telephone 0207 558 8658.

Spring Sunshine

WEATHER

The weather in the Algarve is fantastic with endless days of sunshine and a short, mild winter. Temperatures climb steadily from an average maximum of 18c in March to a peak in August of up to 33c.  The Algarve has over 3,000 hours of sunshine throughout the year and our September & October holidays afford warm, sunny, dry weather with temperatures still in the mid to high 20′s.  Visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather or http://www.faroairportsguide.com/weather.php for more information.

Nature Walks

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Plenty of time is scheduled between classes to allow for other activities, quiet time, excursions or extended sunbathing sessions or perhaps a massage treatment from one of the visiting massage therapists.  There are swimming pools at both venues and beach towels are provided.

Within easy reach are historic towns & villages, spectacular scenery, excellent beaches, golfing, horse riding, tennis, sailing, walking & even go-karting! For those who seek the surf, the famous Atlantic west coast is only 50 minutes away with some of the best surfing beaches in Europe & in the other direction, Spain is only an hour away.

Ah, the Sea

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Fly to Faro from many airport destinations.  To check for flights, visit www.skyscanner.net. Both Monte na Luz and Quinta Mimosa are situated just 20 minutes taxi/car ride from Faro Airport and only 2 hours train from Lisbon or bus from Seville. Taxi transfers from Faro cost around €25-30 each way. Rachel will put guests who are arriving at the same time in touch with each other so they can share taxis and she will also book your cab with Mario, our friendly, local taxi guy. Monte na Luz offer a transfer service for €10 per person. We can help you with your travel arrangements if you are having difficulties or need more advice. Hire car is easily arranged in advance or once your arrive and bicycle hire is also available.

For any further information, do contact Rachel email: rachel@orangetreeyoga.com Tel: +44 207 558 8658

Early Morning Yoga

Both Quinta Mimosa and Monte na Luz are long running retreat centres, situated just 20 minutes from Faro Airport and only 5 minutes from the historic town of Loule and 15 minutes from the beautiful Algarve coast. Mimosa and Monte na Luz have been hosting yoga retreats for over 20 years and both are well-known for their warmth & hospitality.  You will be in wonderful surroundings with friendly people from all walks of life. If you are travelling on your own or with a friend you will find that there is plenty of space to have quiet moments to yourself & plenty of good company for when you need it.  See below for an example of your holiday programme.

Example Holiday Schedule

THE YOGA CLASSES

All the classes are taught by Rachel, and she will be on hand throughout your stay to answer any questions you may have and provide support.  The classes are designed to give participants an indepth experience of yoga asanas, to learn more, improve their practice & to have fun and relax. Guests will often arrive tired & stressed, looking forward to a well-earned break & after their holiday, return home feeling refreshed & renewed.  All equipment is provided and all levels of experience and fitness/health catered for.  Where possible, Rachel can also offer private sessions extra to the programme during your holiday.

Wendy & Elena

THE FOOD & OTHER SERVICES

All the food served at both Monte na Luz and Quinta Mimosa is vegetarian and special allergy diets can also be catered for. For meat and fish lovers, there are plenty of restaurants near and far offering a wide range of local and international dishes. We eat our meals together with a huge brunch after each morning yoga session and three course dinner on most evenings. You can take food away with you from brunch if you like to save something for later. The food is lovingly prepared and created by Wendy or her daughter Elena who have been catering in the Algarve for over 15 years.

Massage Therapies

Quinta Mimosa Bicycle Hire

The accommodation at Quinta Mimosa is arranged in 3 converted Portuguese farmhouses. There are 3 ensuite rooms in each house with lounge, fully equipped kitchen, terrace and barbeque area for each house. Also on site are 3 swimming pools all exclusively for the use of residential guests of Quinta Mimosa. The ensuite rooms can be shared between two, or for a supplement as single occupancy, unless otherwise specified. Also available is a dormitory area accommodating up to 4 people, in a mezzanine gallery integrated above the fully equipped yoga studio, or a separate twin room which shares the bathroom with the dormitory area.

At Monte na Luz, there are single and double rooms arranged in small cottages and the main building with views overlooking the hills towards Loule and the Algarve coast. There is a weekly mini-bus service to the town and the beach is only 15 minutes drive away.  It’s a tranquil spot with no light pollution and great for bird and nature lovers.  Dutch owned and run, it is a comfortable and serene space with a warm welcome always offered by it’s team, Frank and Odille.

All the accommodation is decorated and furnished with love and there are plenty of places to sit & read, relax, swim, lounge, chat, meditate and enjoy!

]]> http://www.orangetreeyoga.com/uncategorized/yoga-holiday-accommodation-details/feed/ 0 http://www.orangetreeyoga.com/uncategorized/portugal-yoga-holiday-prices-2012/ http://www.orangetreeyoga.com/uncategorized/portugal-yoga-holiday-prices-2012/#comments Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:38:06 +0000 Rachel http://www.orangetreeyoga.com/?p=1763 Continue reading »]]> Prices 2012

Twin Ensuite per person	Twin Shared Bath (Quinta Mimosa only)	Single Ensuite	Single Shared Bath (Quinta Mimosa only)	Triple per person (Monte na Luz only)	Dormitory (Quinta Mimosa Only)
730€	€665	€850	€765	€699	€599
£620	£560	£720	£650	£610	£510

Quinta Mimosa – prices include 7 nights accommodation, 10 yoga classes, 6 brunch meals, 5 evening dinners, hot drinks and water and exclusive use of the facilities.  Non residential and non-yoga prices also available.

Monte na Luz - Prices include 7 nights accommodation and all meals (brunch & dinner), hot drinks, water, 10 yoga classes, and exclusive use of the facilities.  Non residential and non-yoga prices also available.

A booking form will be sent on request. Deposit required to secure booking via bank transfer or PayPal. Balance payable in cash on arrival or via bank transfer or PayPal 2 weeks before arrival.

PAYPAL PAYMENTS – Portugal Holidays 2012 (PLEASE NOTE: If you are paying the full amount, please add deposit AND balance applicable to your order but do check availability before booking your flights!)

Deposit Only €200.00 EUR Balance Twin Ensuite €530.00 EUR Balance Twin Shared Bath €465.00 EUR Balance Single Ensuite €650.00 EUR Balance Single Shared Bath €565.00 EUR Balance Dormitory €399.00 EUR Balance Non-Yogi Partner €280.00 EUR

I was recently contacted by the Mesothelioma organisation, which provides detailed information on mesothelioma and the ways various treatments can improve the lives of patients. They told me that “while mesothelioma remains incurable, patients have found ways to surpass typical life expectancies through innovative treatments. For thousands of years the practice of yoga (and its many variations) has been a respected lifestyle due to its focus on physical and mental wellness. As a complementary therapy, yoga has been used to ease the physical and emotional pain associated with cancer as well as cancer treatments.”

They are dedicated to raising awareness and ultimately finding ways to prevent it from occurring from the start. Visit the Mesothelioma website for information on how researchers are now recommending alternative therapies including yoga to relieve symptoms and treat this rare form of cancer.

The benefits of a regular yoga practice are wide ranging and extensive and are not limited to the purely physical advantages.  In a nutshell, the practice of yoga works on all levels of the body and mind to bring about overall good health.  Yoga helps everyone in so many ways, from those who need to manage their stress levels or cope with depression, those who are preparing for childbirth or want to improve fertility, to those who are recovering from injuries or illness or who simply want to improve their overall fitness and mobility.

The focus on postures or exercises helps to keep the joints strong and flexible, muscles toned and stretched and bring poise and balance to the body.  This is important at any age but particularly as we get older, we need to keep moving, keep active to improve our chances of a happy and healthy old age. Breathing techniques helps one to harness quietness and stability of mind as well as helping with a wide range of physical ailments such as asthma, bronchitis and circulatory problems.  Yoga also helps with our concentration and memory and gives one a sense of stability of the mind as well as the physical steadiness and strength of the body.

Because yoga works also on the organs of the body, not just the musculo-skeletal system, it also serves as a detox system helping to keep all the processes of the body, digestion, circulation, hormonal balance, liver function etc, healthy and functioning normally.

When you begin yoga, you may experience it as merely a physical exercise as you stretch your body and learn the yoga postures.  As you continue with your practice (a regular class once or twice a week is recommended), you will find that you also start to experience a greater sense of well being as your whole body, inner and outer, is toned and nourished.  Each yoga posture has a particular emphasis and effect on the body and an experienced and trained teacher will be able to advise you on specific programmes to help with ailments such as neck or back problems, sports injuries, insomnia, hormonal or digestive disorders and many other issues.  Under the guidance of an experienced teacher, those with drug or alcohol problems, depression or anxiety can also be helped by regular yoga practice.

“Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul, create the symphony of life.”  BKS Iyengar

]]> http://www.orangetreeyoga.com/blog/benefits-of-yoga-practice/feed/ 0 http://www.orangetreeyoga.com/blog/nutritional-therapy/ http://www.orangetreeyoga.com/blog/nutritional-therapy/#comments Fri, 24 Jun 2011 07:33:22 +0000 Rachel http://www.orangetreeyoga.com/?p=1318 Continue reading »]]>

Visit my online shop to look at the top quality range of Daily Nutrition Products created to help you supplement your daily diet and improve the quality of your life.  Take a free health analysis test to see what supplements would best help you in your long and short term health and vitality goals. Sign up to my monthly newsletter and receive priority discounts on all products.

 

This month’s Recommended Product – Zambroza – The Most Powerful Antioxidant Drink You Can Buy

 

Nature’s Sunshine has harvested the most healthful fruits and natural extracts from around the world and combined them into this unique delicious, nutritious juice which has been specially formulated to neutralise excess free radicals. Zambroza’s synergistic blend of ten powerful ingredients include mangosteen, wolfberry, apple extract, blueberry, concord grape, grape seed, grape skin, green tea, red berry and raspberry. Zambroza is a powerhouse of antioxidants that help the body fight the effects of ageing, counter inflammation caused by excess free radicals, support the cardiovascular system, promote energy, help maintain healthy cell growth and enhance the immune system.

Add it to a smoothie or simply  mix with water for a delicious and wonderfully nutritious antioxidant drink.

Visit my  online shop to buy – discount applied at checkout and many other offers available to Orange Tree Yoga visitors.

The practice of physical yoga postures, breathing techniques and relaxation actually starts the process of “detoxing” the body of stress.  We hold our tension in our muscles and our posture is often a tell-tale sign of our state of mind. For example, someone with a collapsed chest and rounded shoulders may have depression or lack of confidence or simply be fearful of experiencing life, due to past experiences and their ways of coping with them.  Someone who is a shallow breather, who feels their muscles aching more than others or who’s eyes won’t relax is often someone with anxiety or unreleased anger or frustration.  They tend to rush into their postures and be impatient when doing relaxation postures.

Over time, the practice of yoga postures helps people to come back to their true nature, peace.  We get glimpses of it from time to time, moments of clarity when all our problems, worries and habitual clinging on to life are let go of, and we are simply just in the moment, on our mats.  The idea is then to take this feeling of groundedness into our everyday lives and learn to live a little more in balance.  We learn to create the state of mind that can help us to change the way we perceive life’s stresses and strains, the way we deal with them and to help us move more freely through them.

A skilled teacher can help individual students through the process of change with specific postures and techniques tailored to alleviate our more negative feelings and to enhance positive feelings.  Very broadly, and obviously these postures need to be modified to suit all levels of physical ability and experience also, back bending or chest opening poses are beneficial for depression and anxiety; inverted postures such as headstands, shoulderstands are good for combating fearfulness and lack of confidence; forward bends are very good for emotional stress and fatigue; breathing techniques can be applied for a wide range of stress disorders and twisting poses are a great way to release the physical blocks we create in our bodies when we hold ourselves in tension.

Yoga can also help those who have gone through serious trauma, drug or alcohol addiction and many offenders in prison practice yoga to help them rehabilitate back into society, to come to terms with their path they have created and to start the process of change.  A carefully balanced programme of postures and relaxation will guide students to maintaining emotional strength and stability and to releasing gently and slowly many of the emotional disturbances and habits associated with their conditions and life choices.

BKS Iyengar says of yoga & the mind:

“The primary aim of yoga is to restore the mind to simplicity and peace, and free it from confusion and distress. This sense of calm comes from the practice of yogic asanas and pranayama. Unlike other forms of exercise which strain muscles and bones, yoga gently rejuvenates the body. By restoring the body, yoga frees the mind from the negative feelings caused by the fast pace of modern life. The practice of yoga fills up the reservoirs of hope and optimism within you. It helps you overcome all obstacles on the path to perfect health and spiritual contentment. It is a rebirth.”